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Painting at the Marina

Painting at the Marina

On most Mondays, the Plein Air Painters of Mount Desert Island, Maine, meet at different locations around the island.  On Sunday evening, local artist and author Gail, sends out a email with the painting location for the next morning.  Last year was my first year of joining the group and I had the pleasure of doing so again this year.  We met at the Northeast Harbor Marina.  That meant boats, boats, more boats and water; both of which I am not very familiar at painting coming from the high desert of Central Oregon.  First I did a warm-up in my watercolor journal.  I pick a smart looking red boat to paint.  This was fun, small and spontaneous.  Then I attempted a 1/4 sheet watercolor painting.  By the time I started, I had less than an hour to finish before the group stopped painting for critique and picnic lunch.  So I did not get very far with my larger painting as I felt it was important to get the shape of the boat somewhat correct.  I will share with you my journal entry:

My Watercolor Journal Painting of the Red Boat at Northeast Harbor Marina

             
Photo of the Red Boat    
More Scenes of Maine – Every sunset is different

Arriving at Isle au Haut – View from the Mail Boat

Rocky Coast

Lobster Dinner at Sunset

Seals on the Rocks
Art on the Go

Art on the Go

Second Chances Art at the San Francisco Airport

It is fun to find art in unexpected places!  Today while traveling through the San Francisco airport, I had a few moments to enjoy an art display of recycled items, “Second Chances – Folk Art Made from Recycled Remnants”.  Most of these were made out of metals but then there were very clever dresses made out of candy wrappers. These were incredibly intricate and colorful. Also very colorful, were baskets woven out of discarded telephone wires.

Candy wrapper dresses
Miniature chairs and toys
Colorful baskets made from discarded telephone wires
Miniature metal trucks
Bugs made of metal

Artist Reception

Artist Reception

Blue Vase and Polka Dots
I am the featured artist at Alleda Real Estate for Bend’s First Friday Art Walk tonight.  There is an artist reception and I will be there from 5:30 pm until 9:00.  Please stop by, see my new paintings and say “Hi’!
25 NW Minnesota (next door to Thump Coffee), Bend, Oregon
A Peek Inside My Provence Watercolor Journal, Flower Pots

A Peek Inside My Provence Watercolor Journal, Flower Pots

Flower pots of Provence

Here is a page from my watercolor journal that I just finished.  I had to add more darks and shadows and then finished up with some words in the spaces between my little paintings.  I consider this a study of different terra cotta pots that are found through out Provence.  While traveling and painting in your journals, consider doing a study of one item and painting it in different locations, colors and sizes. 

 What kind of paintings have you done that you would consider a study?

Kitchen Kaleidoscope Event This Saturday, June 18, 2011

Kitchen Kaleidoscope Event This Saturday, June 18, 2011

“Spring in Central Oregon is a painting of the view from my backyard during that magical time in spring when the flowers start to bloom and the mountains are still covered with snow.” 

The Assistance League of Bend, Oregon’s semi-annual Kitchen Kaleidoscope is this Saturday.  If you have seen the posters around town or have your tickets, you will recognize my painting, Spring in Central Oregon, as the featured painting for the event.   This is a fund raising event that will benefit the low-income families of Bend.  Tickets are $25 and you will be able to tour seven beautiful private homes in North Rim and Northwest Crossing.  My painting will be on display at the Riley house in the North Rim section.  I will also have some small originals, prints and cards for sale.  My two great friends, Karen and Karen, will be helping me with my table.  Stop by and say “Hi!”.


A Peek Inside My Provence 2011 Watercolor Journal

A Peek Inside My Provence 2011 Watercolor Journal

I love painting on location but often there is not enough time to finish a painting.  Usually I have time to do a drawing and a watercolor wash or two.  Then it is easy to finish the painting later when I have more time.  Often I will finish these paintings when I am on the airplane ride home or when I am back in my studio. 

Here is an example of a watercolor painting in my journal that I finished at a later time. 

     
This painting was actually finished while flying over the Atlantic Ocean  
Antiques Roadshow

Antiques Roadshow

While I was in France, I got and email informing me that I had won two tickets to the PBS Antiques Roadshow!  These tickets can not be bought or sold.  I applied online months ago and my name was entered into a random drawing.  Three thousand people were awarded tickets to the 2012 season’s first stop – Eugene, Oregon.  My daughter and I will be standing in those long lines tomorrow, hoping for a favorable appraisal and if we are really lucky, to get on the national broadcast.  Each ticket holder can bring two items to be appraised by some of the nation’s top antique appraisers.  Well the first two items was easy for me to decided – my mother’s Louis XVI roll-top desk and her Jacob Petit porcelain vases.  I have a few hours left to decide upon the last two things I should take.  We inherited a several book sets dating from the 1860’s, a little porcelain shoe, some weird perhaps Tibetan roof tiles (or Pottery Barn knock-offs), a set of dancing angles, an old hand colored photo of the Black Hills, South Dakota, or a gold pendant with a beautiful red stone. 
Is there anyone else out there going tomorrow to Eugene to the Antiques Roadshow?  What would you bring to be appraised?
What I Will Not Be Missing about Provence, France

What I Will Not Be Missing about Provence, France

There are certain things that I will not be missing from my painting trip to France.  Reliable internet, showers that can get your body wet all at one once and, well, I can’t actually think of anything else right now.  What I will be missing are those huge artichokes from Spain that were in season, outdoor fresh food markets with stalls of roasted chicken and an unbelievable variety of cheeses, quiet afternoons spent painting at the charming Hotel du Soleil, lingering sunsets that glowed against centuries old buildings, fields and fields of red poppies, meeting up with French friends, making new friends, red doors, blue shutters, lavender ice cream, olive groves… I think the list is endless!

The fabulous Francoise and Guy, Proprietors of the Hotel du Soleil.  Thank you so much for another lovely time in St. Remy de Provence!!!  

Merci Doris for all your insightful painting critiques!
Watercolor Painting In the Small Villages of Provence

Watercolor Painting In the Small Villages of Provence

Even though I have left the sunny, warm days of southern France and making my way home, I am still holding on to the essence of Provence.  I already miss the rich morning coffees, the happy faces of the students in the workshop, the lyrical “Bonjours”, the scent of lavender in the air and the friendly smiles of all we meet.  Our last couple of days of the workshop were spent in some very off-the-beaten tourist paths and quiet painting sites.
 
This morning, instead of my brisk walk to St. Remy de Provence for a fresh baguette, I drove down a six lane highway in search of a good cup of coffee.  I am currently in Poughkeepsie, New York for a very special event.  My oldest daughter is graduating from Vassar College tomorrow and I have joined my family here to celebrate this joyous occasion.  It is always bittersweet to leave France!

Having fun exporing mixed media journaling

Painting in the quite hilltop village of Egalieres

Looking towards Les Alpilles

A friendly guy takes our photo and cleverly gets in it too

The cute Roman chapel, St. Sixte, built in the 12th Century

Very cozy French restaurant, La Pitchoune

Cheese!

Painting in a vineyard with an beautiful backdrop
Les Baux de Provence

Les Baux de Provence

The Mistral has arrived for a few days.  Our painting site is Les Baux de Provence and we try to find a painting spot out of the biting wind.  During the Middle Ages Les Baux de Provence became the seat of a powerful feudal lordship that controlled 79 towns and villages in the vicinity. The ruler claimed ancestry from the Magus king Balthazar and placed the 16 pointed Star of Bethlehem on their coat of arms.

I found a sunny spot to paint but it was still windy!

Our picnic lunch site at the upper end of the village.  Sunny and sheltered

The view of the old castle from the vineyards below.

Helen & Marie exploring Les Baux de Provence

Cute street